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Cold-home health checks

Bristol pharmacies help reach people at risk of cold-related illness

14 October 2015

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This November, 94 pharmacies across Bristol are taking part in our pilot campaign to reach people at risk of cold-related illness. As pharmacists and others in the health sector know, living in a cold home can make many health conditions worse.

Publicity materials such as leaflets and scratch-cards in the pharmacies will encourage customers to self-assess whether they would benefit from advice or support to make their home warmer. The materials will promote services offered by our Home Energy Team, as well those of Talking Money and WE Care & Repair.

CSE's Phillip Morris is coordinating the project and explained how it will work: "A single phone number will link callers to the services provided by all three organisations. So, if a visitor to the pharmacy is struggling with debt and is underheating their home because of this, they could call the advice number and be connected to someone at Talking Money for advice on how to manage and remove this debt; the same person might also be put in touch with Care & Repair for help fitting draught proofing, to warm their home and reduce their energy use and bills."

Eleven ‘Healthy Living’ pharmacies will take a more active role in the campaign, creating displays of advice materials.

Interactive scratch cards will be on display that encourage people to call for support if their home is cold, damp or mouldy, or if they’re struggling to pay bills

Dan Lyus, Director of Development, at Care & Repair said, “This pilot is about ensuring the practical, trusted and local services of CSE, Talking Money and Care & Repair are easily available to vulnerable people. Through collaboration like this we know we can support more people to live in the home of their choice for longer.”

During the pilot we will test how the systems of the three support organisations work together. This is preparation for a bigger scheme to create a city-wide system of support organisations for the health service to refer households struggling to heat their homes. Read more about the scheme here.

Councillor Daniella Radice, Assistant Mayor for Neighbourhoods with responsibility for Public Health, said: “Each year in Bristol people are dying unnecessarily from the cold weather and this campaign is designed to help prevent this. Living in a cold home can make health conditions worse and puts additional strain on the healthcare system."

Follow our progress and get involved

If you’re interested in how the pilot works, or are part of an organisation able to refer into – or take referrals from – the new service, please get in touch with Phillip Morris by email (phillip.morris@cse.org.uk) or phone (0117 934 1430).